1955 Map of Spafford

About this map

Skaneateles Lake and Otisco Lake dominate this mid-century portrait of Central New York's glacial landscape, where steep ravines and narrow finger lakes dictated the pattern of early upland settlement. The map highlights a series of small, rural communities such as Borodino, Spafford, and Kelloggsville, many of which developed around early industry or lake access. Along the eastern shore of Skaneateles Lake, names like Borodino Landing and Gregory Landing indicate the historical importance of water transport before modern road networks were fully established. A significant portion of the southern terrain is dedicated to the State Reforestation Area, marking a 20th-century shift from marginal hillside farming back to managed woodland. Local industry and social hubs are preserved through labels for the Gamble Mill, North New Hope School, and numerous family cemeteries, providing a clear record of the area's mid-1950s cultural geography.